Hri"daya"
A round table conference, that had some of the most affluent people in the society, was convened to discuss the weather in London, a bug in the latest software product, Indian politics, mega serials, next pooja session's bhajans, sports, foreign exchange, recipes among others.
These 40 odd people came from diverse backgrounds, with varied interests but there was an element of similarity that tied them all together...
This conference was not being held in an air-conditioned conference hall but it had the warmth of the evening sun and the gentle breeze caressed not just the bodies of the conference members but also their souls... They weren't talking to prove a point to one another but to ensure that they didn't forget the means to communicate... Each of them had a story to share - a very sad story to share...
Gong goes the bell at 6 a.m and everybody gather for a small prayer session. Coffee and breakfast is served to all and the latest news is made known by the morning news or through newspapers. One has the freedom to choose their line of interest and hone their skills while others could relax or help in running the show. Lunch is served precisely at the same time everyday which is followed by a short afternoon nap. High tea is the highlight of the day's events where all the members get to voice their opinion on anything under the sun! A television session followed by supper marks the end of the day. Behind this superficial serenity lies a turbulence which manifests itself as t-e-a-r-s, lamentation, grief, SORROW...
Inmates of any Old Age Home go through this rigmarole and there are a variety of reasons for their stay. Some are born poor in material terms while others become "poor" while they lose all their relationships. Children in foreign countries, misunderstanding and confusion within the family or their very age (read inability to do any work as per the words of some children) are compelling reasons to resort to old age homes.
One granny was proud to say that she had seen her newly born grandchild through a webcam and heard her first sounds through the speakers - isn't she supposed to be raising the kid and enjoying its first moves? How would the kid get moulded without getting love, care and words of wisdom from its grandparents? Isn't that the way our forefathers were brought up? Then why is there a proliferation of Old Age homes in this new era when things have worked out fine all these years?
old
How can one desert the person who was responsible for our first breath; who held our hand and made us write the alphabets; who helped us distinguish between right and wrong; who stood for us at any cost; who sacrified a meal to make us a Professional; who showered all the love and affection and helped us realize our dreams????
We need to give it back to them for all that they have done for us and what could be a better way than to love them whole heartedly and to take care of them during their old age. We are also setting the right trend for our children (remember WUGIWUG). So, take the first step and make your grandparents and parents feel special...
We must be the change we wish to see in the world
- M.K. Gandhi
posted by DR @ 10:29 PM
14 Comments:
Touching ! Your best post to date. I have not thought about this topic in a lot of depth. Your write up reminds me that it is indeed worth deep thought and good actions. Thanks !
Prabhu, did you really let someone beat you to the 1 st comment ? Ille, thalli ninnu vedikkai paaklaam nu thittam potta sadhiya ? :)
Deepa, thought-provoking post but makes me sad because it makes me think of my selfishness
Good write-up, deeps.
I totally empathise with your views.
Keep'em coming.
- prad
really heavy topic to discuss.
i feel the proliferation of these old age homes are more due to compulsions that their sons/daughters are living abroad more than anything else. if u read hindu regularly u can tell, recent burglaries are mainly aimed at homes of these elderly ppl only and probably this line of thought forces the children abroad to put them in these old age homes. although i understand this could be only a fraction among the whole lot that u r talking abt.
india has started to become a place wherein only if both the wife & husband work, then only can they bring up the kids in the fashion that they want to! ppl are giving more importance to money than blood, that is to be accepted.
old age homes, are probably a blessing in disguise, where old ppl can get sometime to devlop their interests and beget new friends. i am not taking sides here, but ithu more of "suuzhnilaiyin kattaayam" (circumstantial compulsions).
to quote a dialogue from hey ram "kasaappu kadai aala irunthaa thaan antha nyaayam puriyum"
In a way Old age homes are a blessing in disguise, as people who feel the way I do can atleast be assured that old-aged people are being taken care of by an instituion that is compassionate (but everything comes for a price). What I strongly feel is that one shouldn't shirk responsibility - infact taking care of one's family is more of a pleasurable experience that a duty/burden. An orphan will understand the true value of relationships than a person who has it all. After all, all of us realize the significance of everything only when we don't possess it...
Hi..
Very well written.It forced me to go back to my very old blog and think of my grandma!
http://raapi.blogspot.com/2004/01/paatithe-tenderiron-hearted-or-heart.html
I swear everytime I read it,I experience a high sense of guilt and a feeling very difficult to express!
But then thanks for reminding my paati :)
-Raapi
Thanks Raapi! I am happy that my blog was instrumental in reminding u abt ur granny... I guess I achieved what I wanted to do!
I did read ur blog... and man arent we lucky enough to have "Chweet" grandmothers!
There is a sanskrit saying that says "Janani Janma Bhoomi swargadhapi Gariyasi"
Mother and Motherland are better than Heavens. Nowadays we are probably trading these comforts for money and comforts (?).
Kanninai vitru chithiram vaanginal kai kotti siriyaro sakiye -Mahakavi
dins - i think "your best post to date" is going to be repeated on every blog that DR writes :)
Found this interesting link: http://www.sevalaya.org/
Anonymous:
Been there and have had the privilege of interacting with them. They are real nice kids:)
hhhm,
I thought Sevalaya was an old-age home.
Nice kidss?
So its for all destitute people?
Thats interesting to know!
Sevalaya runs a school for orphans and also an old-age home while vishranthi is just for old-aged people.
A very good post deepa..
i tried to weigh in and argue with my mom, which is tougher to run: anaatha aashram for children / old age homes in terms of patience.. i guess its definetely the second one
as u all discussed, these homes are blessing in disguise in a way.... and it definitely requires llot of goodness in you.. i sincerely appreciate the dedication and patience of home runners..
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